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Posted by ecanning | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on September 1, 2015

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Posted by ecanning | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on July 24, 2015

As mentioned, environmental artist Peter Day visited St Peter's
to install an art work that some of our students had contributed
to in partnership with Melbourne Water and Kids Teaching Kids.
The piece is now permanently on display near our school mural on
the Wedge St side of the school.

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Posted by ecanning | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on July 13, 2015

Schools Tree Day

Each year, around 3,000 preschools, kindies, primary and high schools across Australia take part in Schools Tree Day. Students nation-wide have learnt how to plant, and care for the seedlings they grow. Schools Tree Day 2015 will be on Friday July 24th, although events can be held at any time during the year.

Schools Tree Day can mark the beginning of a long-term environmental program, engaging your students in a fun, hands on activity that can reinforce their environmental, maths, science and creative arts learning or simply contribute to creating beautiful school grounds.

Trees

by Harry Behn

Trees are the kindest things I know,
They do no harm, they simply grow
And spread a shade for sleepy cows,
And gather birds among their bows.

They give us fruit in leaves above,
And wood to make our houses of,
And many different leaves are seen
And in the Spring new buds of green.

They are first when day’s begun
To tough the beams of morning sun,
They are the last to hold the light
When evening changes into night.

And when a moon floats on the sky
They hum a drowsy lullaby
Of sleepy children long ago…
Trees are the kindest things I know.

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1. Check taps and pipes for leaks. A small drip can waste 75 litres of water per day. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of litres.

2. Use your water meter to check for hidden water leaks. Read the house water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there may be a leak.

3. Install water-saving shower heads.

4. Take shorter showers. Cut down on water use by turning off the shower after soaping up, then turn it back on to rinse. A four-minute shower uses approximately 75 to 150 litres of water.

5. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush. There is no need to keep the water running while brushing your teeth.

6. Use your dishwasher and clothes washer for only full loads. Automatic dishwashers and clothes washers should be fully loaded for optimum water conservation.

7. When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave the water running for rinsing. If you have a double-basin, fill one with soapy water and one with rinse water.

Water conservation in the yard and garden…

8. Plant drought-resistant lawns, shrubs and plants.

9. Put a layer of mulch around trees and plants. Mulch will slow evaporation of moisture while discouraging weed growth.

10. Check for leaks in pipes and hoses. Leaks outside the house maynot seem as bad since they’re not as visible. But they can be just as wasteful as leaks indoors. Check frequently to keep them drip-free.

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Posted by ecanning | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on June 24, 2015

Last year, St Peter’s was invited to participate in the ‘Love the Yarra’ project. For us this consisted of two aspects:

1. A group of students attending and presenting at the ‘Love Your Yarra’ Kids Teaching Kids event.

2. Selected students from Year 4-6 working with Peter Day (Environmental Artist) to contribute to a sculpture representing their understandings of the Yarra River.

The sculpture was displayed at the Kids Teaching Kids event, then spent some time on public display at Federation Square. Since then, it has resided in a Melbourne Water office in the Docklands. We were recently contacted by a representative from Melbourne Water, seeking to find a permanent home for this art work. The participating schools were each offered a piece of the larger work.
We are excited that Peter Day will be at St Peter’s on Thursday and Friday of Week 11 to install our piece. It will be located along the Wedge St side of the school and will act as an ongoing reminder of our roles as Stewards of Creation. Children and their families are encouraged to view the work and think about the importance of this major water way.
At the time of Peter’s visit last year, a professional film crew were also present to capture the students working and some of their insights. Parts of this footage have been collated into a short promotional video which includes a number of our students.
Please see the link below to view the video.